London,
22
November
2022
|
11:08
Europe/London

Works on Red Lion Street walking and cycling improvements completed

Red Lion Street
Red Lion Street

Residents, workers, and visitors can now enjoy more public space in Holborn following the completion of works on Red Lion Street, undertaken by Camden Council with funding from Central District Alliance.

Red Lion Street – known for its collection of restaurants, cafes, and pubs –now sports wider pavements and a dedicated cycle lane for people moving between Theobalds Road and High Holborn.

The closure of Red Lion Street to through traffic was made permanent last year following a trial road layout installed at the height of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The local Business Improvement District, the Central District Alliance (CDA), has contributed £103,000 towards the implementation of the project.

Councillor Adam Harrison, Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Camden, said:

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to work with local businesses to transform Red Lion Street into a more pleasant place to both travel through and to also meet and spend time.

“Local people told us that Red Lion Street previously felt unsafe, with cars using the road as a short-cut between Theobalds Road and High Holborn. This is why we implemented a trial closure in June 2020.

“We received great feedback on this project during a public consultation in September 2021. Now, we’ve made it permanent with high-quality pavements and a cycle lane to make getting around Camden on foot or by bike easier and safer.

“What’s more, giving people space to meet, walk and enjoy many of Camden’s restaurants is crucial as more people head back to the office and tourism in London recovers from the pandemic.

"Thank you to local business improvement district CDA for their financial support for this scheme and working together to improve the public spaces and roads of Holborn more broadly."

Debbie Akehurst, Chief Executive of the Central District Alliance, said:

“Central District Alliance is committed to supporting people centered places. CDA, in partnership with Camden Council, is proud to have backed these public realm works at Red Lion Street - providing new trees, improved cycle lanes and pedestrian links and better wheelchair mobility.

“The pandemic has shown us that safer and greener walking and cycling routes are key to everyday health and quality of life, making it easier for everyone to get around and enjoy the benefits of outdoor active travel.”

The trial scheme was accompanied by further changes in the area, including a motor vehicle restriction on Dane Street and a motor vehicle restriction on Bedford Row. This latter restriction will include more green space and seating on the street’s intersection with Sandland Street.

  • The above image shows Councillor Adam Harrison, Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Camden with Gordon Brockie, Chief Operating Officer, Central District Alliance BID and Lucy Minyo, Public Realm Lead, Central District Alliance BID
  • The Red Lion Street and Dane Street scheme is one of Camden’s Safe and Healthy Streets schemes which have been introduced since 2020.
  • The decision report, monitoring data and equalities impact assessment can be found on Camden’s website.
  • More information on current and previous Safe and Healthy Streets projects can be found on the Safe Travel in Camden Commonplace.
  • The Central District Alliance Business Improvement District (CDA BID) is the collective voice of over 400 enterprises representing a highly diversified commercial and cultural base in Camden’s Holborn, Bloomsbury and St Giles and Islington’s Farringdon and Clerkenwell neighbourhoods. Prioritising sustainability, destination modelling, business solutions, public realm and placemaking within our district.